Are baitcaster difficult to service?

[TheReelShop]

I have a customer inquiring on a quote to service Shimano baitcasters. I believe one is a Curado. Any important things to keep of note? Are these types of reels difficult to work on or easier? I've done conventionals and spinners. Also to those of you who service them, are the costs about the same or different than servicing conventionals?


Thanks in advance

[steelfish]

check some tutorials on the baitcasters shimano and daiwa, the size 100 and 200 and you will get the idea, I hate to work on spinnings so if you already work on those, small lowprofile baitcasters are not that bad

for me they are more difficult for the only reason that they are smaller, everything is smaller, but they follow the same idea, mechanics, etc than the big brothers casting with levelwinds
about the cost of the service I will let the rest of the guys chime here cuz Im really bad at charging for my services, mostly friends, co-workers, guys/captains I know when going fishing, etc not many walk-ins to charge a normal price.

[handi2]

Once you do one the rest will be very similar. Especially a reel like the Curado low profile. No more difficult than a small spinning reel.

A service would included new Carbontex drags and spool bearings if needed. You will need to learn how to open the small 3x10x4 and 4x10x4 spool bearings that they all use. With the exception of Daiwa that will have different size bearings with pressed in shields.

I would ask for $20.00 in labor only for the Curado (in good working condition) and luckily its one of the easiest to learn on.

Keith

[TheReelShop]

check some tutorials on the baitcasters shimano and daiwa, the size 100 and 200 and you will get the idea, I hate to work on spinnings so if you already work on those, small lowprofile baitcasters are not that bad

for me they are more difficult for the only reason that they are smaller, everything is smaller, but they follow the same idea, mechanics, etc than the big brothers casting with levelwinds
about the cost of the service I will let the rest of the guys chime here cuz Im really bad at charging for my services, mostly friends, co-workers, guys/captains I know when going fishing, etc not many walk-ins to charge a normal price.

Thanks for the info. started already to look up tutorials.

Once you do one the rest will be very similar. Especially a reel like the Curado low profile. No more difficult than a small spinning reel.

A service would included new Carbontex drags and spool bearings if needed. You will need to learn how to open the small 3x10x4 and 4x10x4 spool bearings that they all use. With the exception of Daiwa that will have different size bearings with pressed in shields.

I would ask for $20.00 in labor only for the Curado (in good working condition) and luckily its one of the easiest to learn on.

Keith

I noticed on some of the tutorials, a lot of guys don't open the bearings. they dip em in acetone. Im guessing like you said they are hard to manipulate the shields being removed. The other reel he wants a quote for is a Metanium MGL. Im guessing you'd ask more for a reel like the Metanium?

Besides spool bearings everything else bearing related would be greased?

$20 plus the carbontex drag cost and spool bearings?

[Cor]

As a user of the reels I find the small baitcaster has many more parts and find it at least twice as time consuming as an older large conventional star drag reel, to service.

More E clips and springs that go on a mission to space as well.

[ez2cdave]

YouTube may be very helpful . . .

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shimano+reel+maintenance

Tight Lines !

[philaroman]

1) you may want to stay away from JDM models like Metanium due to parts availability in US, unless you have a SERIOUS Shimano parts library & knowledge of what's interchangeable w/ US-model parts

2) some swear by MEK as a better solvent than acetone, for flushing bearings "shields-on" (albeit, the fumes are MUCH nastier, so they do it outdoors)

[TheReelShop]

Thanks for all the input. I did not know the Metanium was JDM. Im going to see what the customer decides to do.

[Zimbass]

The Matanium mgl is imported by Shimano Corp. so is known as a USDM reel. They will warranty those purchased in the US, as well as stock parts.

Cheers.

Terry.

[johndtuttle]

Be advised that you need a proper tool to remove the spool pin that retains the pinion side spool bearing. Hedgehog Studio makes a nice compact one I like, or spool pin pliers from Boca.

Bend a spool shaft not using proper tools and it will be spendy.

[exp2000]

Baitcasters comprise most of my work.

Shellite / lighter fluid / AKA naphtha? is the best cleaning solvent - good solvent performance and no nasty fumes.
This is the main component in aerosol brake cleaners which are also useful.

For best results put bearings in a glass spice jar and place in a heated ultrasonic cleaner for 5 minutes. Repeat till clear.

Spool bearings get oil. The rest get light grease.

On Curados pay special attention to the following:

There is only one clutch return spring. These can become weak over time so think about replacing it while you have the reel open.

Watch out for the goal posts (pinion yoke). These are crappy metal so often bubble and flake - replace if signs warrant. Protect with grease in any case.

The large bearing at the pinion base is often compromised - check carefully. Pump it full of light anti-corrosion grease for better protection. Make sure the inner bore is rust free - clean if not. Polish this pinion end. Lube with anti-corrosion grease.

A component of the standard washers seems to react with the base metal in the maingear so the surface often bubbles. Restore surface with Dremel brush and replace with Carbontex.

Good luck
~

[TheReelShop]

Baitcasters comprise most of my work.

Shellite / lighter fluid / AKA naphtha? is the best cleaning solvent - good solvent performance and no nasty fumes.
This is the main component in aerosol brake cleaners which are also useful.

For best results put bearings in a glass spice jar and place in a heated ultrasonic cleaner for 5 minutes. Repeat till clear.

Spool bearings get oil. The rest get light grease.

On Curados pay special attention to the following:

There is only one clutch return spring. These can become weak over time so think about replacing it while you have the reel open.

Watch out for the goal posts (pinion yoke). These are crappy metal so often bubble and flake - replace if signs warrant. Protect with grease in any case.

The large bearing at the pinion base is often compromised - check carefully. Pump it full of light anti-corrosion grease for better protection. Make sure the inner bore is rust free - clean if not. Polish this pinion end. Lube with anti-corrosion grease.

A component of the standard washers seems to react with the base metal in the maingear so the surface often bubbles. Restore surface with Dremel brush and replace with Carbontex.

Good luck
~

Wow Great info exp2000 will definitely keep that in mind.

Im going to have to invest on an ultrasonic cleaner later down the line. An suggestions to clean without the US cleaner?

[foakes]

Im going to have to invest on an ultrasonic cleaner later down the line. An suggestions to clean without the US cleaner?

Toothbrushes, jelly jars, solvents, and simple green...

Honestly, if a reel repair person ever uses an ultrasonic cleaner -- they will wonder why they did not use one before.

Exceptions would be a basic service without disassembling the entire reel -- perfectly acceptable and a good technique when done properly.

However, I prefer a complete service/restoration whenever possible -- no comebacks for me that way.

It is surprising how little a decent US cleaner costs these days.

Here is a good one for $113.89 on ebay -- and there are others as well.

SS, 6 Liters, timer and heat --

Be careful with the solutions, particularly anodized or plastic parts -- experiment first.

Lets face it -- this is the cost of one small, average reel.

Best,

Fred

[philaroman]

sorry, I'm dated...  used to Scorpions/Metaniums being JDM's

...An suggestions to clean without the US cleaner?

you can always agitate manually: shake in a clear jar w/ tight lid & repeat until solvent runs clear (make sure jar/lid are not susceptible to the solvent you choose) -- less efficient, but it works for non-volume service

[Cor]

Be advised that you need a proper tool to remove the spool pin that retains the pinion side spool bearing. Hedgehog Studio makes a nice compact one I like, or spool pin pliers from Boca.

Bend a spool shaft not using proper tools and it will be spendy.

I bought one of those from Hedgehog Studio, but was thoroughly disappointed.   It is not robust enough to remove pins from a full size reel, and the discription on their website does not make that clear.